Hi, my name is [PRESENTER NAME]. IÕm [PRESENTER ROLE].
Welcome to ŌThe Top 10 Myths About HIV and AIDS.Ķ This video will correct some
common myths and misunderstandings about HIV and AIDS. For each myth, I will
first state the myth and then explain the reality.

Myth: HIV doesnÕt cause AIDS

Reality: There is overwhelming scientific evidence and
medical consensus that the disease we call AIDS is caused by the virus we call
HIV.Scientists have been able to
document how HIV infects cells, attacks the immune system, and causes the
symptoms of AIDS.HIV is
measurable in the blood of an infected individual and antiretroviral
medications have clearly been shown to suppress the virus and improve the
symptoms of AIDS.

Myth: Because of antiretroviral medications, we no longer
need to be concerned about HIV/AIDS.

Reality: Antiretroviral medications are a great leap forward
in the fight against HIV, but they are not a cure. If your doctor prescribes
ARVs, you will have to take every dose on schedule to minimize the risk that
the HIV in your body will develop resistance to the medication.Additionally, in developing
countries, HIV/AIDS is continuing to spread, not only in Africa, but
increasingly in India, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union.Clearly, the world has not yet
experienced the full global impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on politics,
economics, and the livelihood of those most affected.

Myth: If you have HIV already and are sexually active, you
no longer need to practice safer sex.

Reality: HIV positive individuals who choose to be sexually
active need to practice safer sex to reduce the risk that their HIV negative
partner will become infected.When
both partners are HIV positive, they also need to practice safer sex to protect
themselves from contracting each otherÕs strain of HIV, a possibly more
aggressive and drug resistant strain of HIV. If a person is HIV positive and
chooses to be sexually active, it is important for them to inform their
partners. Additionally, it is vital to practice safer sex with each sexual
encounter.

Myth: You canÕt contract HIV through oral sex

Reality: Although the risk of spreading HIV through oral sex
may not be quite as high as through some other sexual practices such as vaginal
or anal sex, the risk is still there. There are documented cases of people who
only engaged in oral sex and nonetheless contracted HIV as a result. Therefore,
people who choose to be sexually active should reduce their risk via condoms
for men and dental dams for women.

Myth: You canÕt get HIV from one sexual encounter

Reality: There are documented cases of individuals who
contracted HIV from one sexual encounter because their partner was HIV positive
and they had unprotected sex. Anyone who is HIV positive is capable of infecting
their sexual partners, and you canÕt tell if a person is HIV positive by
looking, so if you choose to be sexually active, remember that you can contract
HIV from even a single sexual encounter and it is vital to use condoms.

Myth: A woman cannot spread HIV to another woman by having
sex with her

Reality: Although the risk of an HIV positive woman
infecting another woman by having sex is lower, the risk is still not zero. If
a woman is HIV positive, her vaginal fluids contain HIV, and it is possible for
her to infect her partner. If a person is HIV positive and chooses to be
sexually active, it is important for them to inform their partners.
Additionally, it is vital to practice safer sex with each sexual encounter.

Myth: If you are HIV positive but your HIV viral load is
undetectable, you cannot spread HIV

Reality: Anyone who is HIV positive can spread the virus to
their sexual partner. ItÕs true that if your viral load is lower, your risk of
spreading HIV is lower, but the risk is not zero. If you are HIV positive and
you choose to be sexually active, no matter how healthy you feel and how low
your viral load may be, you must inform your partners in advance of your status
so they are fully informed and you can work together to reduce the risk of spreading
HIV.

Myth: AIDS can be spread by kissing, hugging, or shaking
hands

Reality:Though
there are other means of transmission, there are four primary ways that HIV
spreads: through intimate sexual contact;sharing needles through injection drug use; blood transfusions, and from
mother to child. You canÕt contract HIV by kissing a person, hugging them, or
shaking their hands. You canÕt contract HIV by working or living with them.

Myth: If you have HIV, you can cure it by having sex with a
virgin

Reality:There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS. The myth
that you can cure HIV/AIDS is prevalent in some parts of Africa and has even
led to incidents where HIV positive men rape young women or girls in the hope
of curing their HIV.

Myth: Every individual with HIV will eventually develop AIDS

Reality: There is a group ofindividuals with HIV who have not progressed to AIDS,
despite being infected for over 20 years.Some appear to have a natural ability to suppress the virus in their
body without medications.Others
may have acquired a weaker strain of the virus.Still others took medications before their CD4 cells
dropped below 200 and therefore, do not have an AIDS diagnosis.Regardless of the circumstance,
time will tell whether it continues to be possible for an individual to remain
HIV positive without progressing to AIDS.

These are just ten common myths about HIV and AIDS. There
are many more. No matter who you are, it is important to have correct
information about HIV and AIDS. You are a valuable individual, and your life
matters as do the lives of those in your community. Take care of yourself and
those around you. Make healthy choices that eliminate or reduce your risk of
contracting HIV. Please watch the other videos on this web site to learn more
about HIV and AIDS and how to protect yourself and others.

For AIDSvideos.org, this is [PRESENTER NAME].

This script was reviewed for accuracy and approved by
Becky Kuhn, M.D. on April 29, 2006.